The Catch

"The Catch.' which tells of a longliners son who joins the Royal Navy and takes on the gruelling divers course. once qualified he is sent out on missions during WW2. When the war is over he goes back to studying what he did in College - Marine archaeology. John James Bridgett (Who is my late Grandfather in real life) plays The man who has a quest to find the 24 lost Spanish Galleons off the coast of Dublin. when in 1588 they were chased by Sir Francis Drake and John Hawkins. Violent storms force the Amada onto the rocks and four of the galleons are carrying Gold and precious Jewels. The hunt is on to recover what is said to be worth 50 million. Chuck Henderson an American Oil prospector cheats an old man out of his farm in Texas, knowing there is oil on the 200 acre farmland. he makes a lot of money and becomes a very powerful figure in Texas. He runs for governor and when he wins he has, the police , judiciary, in his pocket and becomes a law unto himself. He pursues and marries Evel

33. 33

“Hello there said the jovial woman behind the counter what can I be getting for you all.

“Are you Gracie?’

“That I am for me sins.’

“Well Paddy Summers told us that you would look after us until he comes in.’

I’m John James Bridgett but you can call me Jim.’

“Ah the George medal man; Patrick tells me that if it weren’t for you then they all would have been killed is that right.’

“It was nothing Grace, I was just doing what any other man would have done.’

“Yes but you see they didn’t and you did and that’s what sets you apart from the rest.’

“I hear that your staying in the manor house is that right.’

“Yes but we are only staying there for a night.’

“Well the next time you come I have four rooms above here that can accommodate eight of you and I’ll only charge you a fiver each and breakfast is thrown in as well.’

“We certainly won’t forget that will we.’ Actually Grace there would be eleven of us.

“Not a problem, Jimmy, I have two rooms in the back that I will let you have as well.’

“We will need them for a few nights until our boat arrives.’

“That is fine with me; just let Patrick know and I will have the rooms ready for you.’

“Now what can I be getting you to eat?’

Well Paddy recommended your steak and ale pie.’

“He knows a good plate of food does Patrick.’ “I have some home made soup; would you be wantin’ some?’

“Yes please.’

I will get my lazy husband to come and serve you with drinks he’ll be reading the paper I know him.’

“Gracie left the room for a moment and you could hear some shouting going on and then a man walked in.’

“Good evenin’ to you all, I’m Robert Black, I own this pub, my wife says that you would be wantin’ some drinks?’

“Well since we’re in Ireland it would be rude not to partake in the “Black Stuff”

“Will you young ladies be wantin’ the same?’

“When in Rome they both said.’

Robert smiled as he poured out the Guinness very slowly then when it had reached the top of the glass he drew a four leaf clover on each with the back of a tea spoon then handed them over. “That’ll be six and four pence please.’

Jim gave him ten shillings then waited whilst Robert rang the till and then gave him his change. Rob helped him carry the drinks over to the table as the two girls sipped on the Guinness. It left them with a frothy smile and they both laughed as they used a serviette to wipe it away.

Gracie came through with their soup which was leek and potato.’

She had made fresh bread buns that day and they were placed in a wicker basket on the table.’

Looking around the room there were photographs of draymen with shire horses and pictures of bare knuckle fighters on every wall. Bob Fitzsimons stood proudly with the heavyweight championship belt in one of them.

Some good boxers have come out of Dublin you know said Robert as they ate their soup.

“I can see that said Jim as he broke a bun in half and began to eat it.’